What happens when you finally stop scrolling long enough to hear your own mind again?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica steps into the Healing Lab to share the surprising results of her four-day social media reset. What started as a simple break quickly revealed how deeply woven digital habits are into daily life—the impulse to check, the discomfort of stillness, and the quiet comparisons happening beneath the surface. Through intentional pauses and mindful detachment, Jessica discovered clarity, sharper focus, and a calmer nervous system. This experiment didn’t just change her screen time—it reshaped her relationship with herself, her time, and the world around her.

Key Takeaways

• I realized social media doesn't add nearly as much value to my life as I thought.
• The urge to check was intense, especially in the first two days.
• With fewer inputs, my thoughts had room to breathe.
• Emotional discomfort surfaced without the distraction of scrolling.
• I didn't realize how often I compare until the comparison withdrawal.
• Micro pauses helped disrupt my autopilot behavior.
• I feel more productive because my attention is sharper.
• This single shift has radically reduced any anxiety related to social media.
• A short pause is enough to break the cycle of compulsive checking.
• I'm having more ideas and feel more connected to my values.

Chapters

00:00 The Social Media Reset Experiment

02:23 Unpacking Emotional Discomfort

04:10 Finding Connection Beyond the Screen

05:43 Lessons Learned from the Experiment

06:35 NEWCHAPTER

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digital boundaries, emotional wellness, social media, mental health, self-care, emotional intelligence, intentionality, self-protection, healing, mindfulness

Is your phone draining your energy faster than it drains its battery?

In a world where our screens pull at us from the moment we wake up, digital peace isn’t accidental — it’s something we build. In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica dives into the art of digital boundaries and why they’re essential for protecting your mental wellness. Through a warm-up, a strength series, and a soothing cool down, she guides you toward a more intentional, grounded relationship with social media. If your nervous system has been whispering enough, this episode is your invitation to listen.

Key Takeaways

• Digital boundaries are essential for protecting your peace.
• Awareness of emotional responses to social media is crucial.
• Setting limits on social media use can enhance self-regulation.
• Curating your social media feed is a form of mental hygiene.
• Taking breaks from social media can help recover from overstimulation.
• Practicing detachment from external validation is important.
• Boundaries should feel restorative, not restrictive.
• Emotional endurance is built through consistent practice of boundary-setting.
• Self-care for your digital life is as important as physical self-care.
• Reflection on boundaries can lead to greater emotional insight.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Digital Boundaries

01:50 Strength Training for Emotional Resilience

04:26 Cool Down and Reflection

06:07 Conclusion and Next Steps

07:01 NEWCHAPTER

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digital boundaries, emotional wellness, social media, mental health, self-care, emotional intelligence, intentionality, self-protection, healing, mindfulness

How much is social media shaping your mood—and how much is it training your brain?

In this episode of Healing is My Hobby, Jessica explores the intricate relationship between social media and mental wellness. She delves into the neuroscience behind scrolling, the impact of comparison culture, cognitive load, and the effects of algorithm-driven anxiety. The conversation highlights the emotional exhaustion caused by constant digital stimulation and offers practical strategies for mindful engagement with social media.

• Social media significantly influences our emotional well-being.
• Dopamine release during scrolling creates a cycle of anticipation.
• Comparison culture can lead to feelings of inadequacy and shame.
• Cognitive load from social media contributes to emotional exhaustion.
• Digital burnout is a real phenomenon affecting many users.
• Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over reality.
• Intense emotional content keeps users engaged longer.
• Overstimulation from social media can lead to anxiety and FOMO.
• Cognitive traps like perfectionism and external validation are common.
• Mindful practices can help mitigate the negative effects of social media.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Media and Mental Wellness

01:06 The Neuroscience of Scrolling

04:02 The Impact of Comparison Culture

06:34 Cognitive Load and Decision Fatigue

08:53 Algorithm Anxiety and Its Effects

11:50 Cognitive Traps Activated by Social Media

13:34 Healthy Reframes for Social Media Use

16:09 NEWCHAPTER

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social media, mental wellness, neuroscience, dopamine, comparison culture, cognitive load, burnout, algorithm anxiety, emotional exhaustion, mindfulness

What happens when burnout meets old perfectionism and people-pleasing?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the complexities of healing, particularly in relation to trauma responses and burnout. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between stress and trauma responses, and how these can impact the healing journey. Jessica provides practical strategies for self-compassion and healing, encouraging listeners to embrace a slower, more intentional approach to recovery. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming topics related to social media and mental wellness.

• Healing is a journey, not a race.
• Burnout can complicate the healing process.
• Understanding trauma responses is crucial for healing.
• Self-compassion is key in the healing journey.
• Micro rest practices can aid recovery.
• Your worth is not tied to your healing speed.
• Awareness of your reactions can foster healing.
• Burnout requires time and gentle care to heal.
• Social media can impact mental wellness significantly.
• Creating boundaries is essential for emotional health.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Trauma Responses in Healing

03:20 The Impact of Burnout on Healing

06:46 Practical Tools for Healing and Self-Compassion

08:50 NEWCHAPTER

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healing, trauma response, burnout, mental wellness, self-compassion, personal growth, coping strategies, nervous system, emotional health, recovery

What if the secret to burnout recovery is a hot soak and a tiny craft kit?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores burnout recovery through two main practices: heat therapy and slow crafting. She discusses the science behind warm water immersion and its effects on the nervous system, as well as the benefits of engaging in slow, repetitive craft activities like diamond painting. Jessica emphasizes the importance of small, intentional moments for healing and encourages listeners to incorporate simple practices into their daily lives to combat burnout.

• Burnout lives in the body and requires physical interventions.
• Warm water immersion can lower cortisol and improve sleep quality.
• Heat therapy can be as simple as a nightly foot soak.
• Slow crafting activities can activate a flow state and reduce rumination.
• Engaging in creative activities can restore attention and increase dopamine.
• Burnout recovery doesn't require massive changes, just small moments of self-care.
• Taking time for oneself is crucial in combating burnout.
• Presence in the moment is more important than perfection in healing.
• Simple practices can lead to significant improvements in mental wellness.
• Healing is a journey that can start with tiny, intentional actions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Burnout Recovery

02:12 Exploring Warm Water Immersion for Burnout

04:32 The Impact of Heat Therapy on the Nervous System

07:25 Engaging in Slow Crafting: The Diamond Painting Experience

09:44 Key Takeaways and Mini Healing Practices

12:53 NEWCHAPTER

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burnout recovery, heat therapy, slow crafting, mental wellness, personal growth, nervous system, relaxation techniques, self-care, mindfulness, healing practices

What if journaling could be the antidote to burnout?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the transformative power of journaling as a tool for mental wellness and personal growth. She discusses various techniques for journaling, emphasizing its role in processing thoughts, managing stress, and fostering self-compassion. The episode includes practical exercises and encourages listeners to embrace journaling as a means of self-rescue and healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Journaling helps organize racing thoughts and reduce mental clutter.
• It engages mindfulness and improves mood and resilience.
• Writing freely can help process emotions and stress.
• Journaling can be trauma-informed, allowing for short bursts of writing.
• There are no rules in journaling; it's about personal expression.
• Using prompts can help when feeling stuck in writing.
• Journaling is a mental gym for emotional health.
• Every page filled is a step toward healing.
• Self-compassion in journaling is crucial for personal growth.
• Journaling creates space to notice overlooked moments of joy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Journaling

00:57 The Power of Journaling for Healing

04:22 Practical Journaling Techniques

05:15 Journaling as a Tool Against Burnout

06:03 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

06:48 NEWCHAPTER

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journaling, mental wellness, self-care, personal growth, stress management, healing practices, mindfulness, self-compassion, therapy, emotional health

Ever wonder why rest doesn’t feel like it’s working anymore?

In this episode of Healing Is My Hobby, Jessica Colarco explores the critical distinction between being tired and experiencing burnout. She delves into the signs and symptoms of burnout, its causes, and offers practical strategies for recovery. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of rest, the need for nervous system regulation, setting boundaries, reconnecting with purpose, and seeking professional support when necessary. Jessica encourages listeners to approach their healing journey with compassion and awareness, reminding them that burnout is not a sign of weakness but a call for change.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout is a chronic state of exhaustion, not just physical but emotional and mental.
• Rest is not enough to recover from burnout; deeper changes are needed.
• Understanding the difference between tiredness and burnout is crucial for recovery.
• Burnout can stem from overcommitment, perfectionism, and lack of boundaries.
• Different types of rest are necessary for restoration, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual rest.
• Nervous system regulation is essential for managing stress and burnout.
• Setting boundaries is a form of self-preservation and helps maintain energy levels.
• Reconnecting with purpose can reignite joy and meaning in life.
• Professional support can be vital in addressing burnout and its effects.
• Healing from burnout is a gradual process that requires awareness and intentional actions.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healingismyhobby

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Burnout

00:59 Understanding Tiredness vs. Burnout

04:53 Identifying Burnout Symptoms

06:47 Exploring Types of Rest for Recovery

11:02 Resetting the Nervous System

19:25 Rebalancing Boundaries and Purpose

22:23 Seeking Professional Support for Burnout

burnout, mental wellness, healing, personal growth, emotional health, stress management, self-care, nervous system, boundaries, purpose

Can five sensory cues really help calm your nervous system in under a minute?

In this closing episode of the October Stress Series, Jessica Colarco, LCSW, reflects on what we’ve learned about stress and how to tend to it with compassion. She guides listeners through the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique — a quick, sensory-based reset that helps shift the nervous system from stress to safety.

Jessica reminds us that healing isn’t about eliminating stress or being perfectly calm; it’s about practicing presence, one breath at a time. She also offers a preview of November’s Burnout Series, where she’ll explore what happens when stress lingers too long and how we can reignite purpose and joy.

• Understanding stress as the body’s natural response to danger or demand
• How chronic stress impacts mood, sleep, digestion, and relationships
• Healing through awareness and small, consistent practices
• Guided 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to calm the body
• Preparing for the upcoming Burnout Series: recognizing signs of burnout and rebuilding balance

Try the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Reset

Notice 5 things you can see

Notice 4 things you can touch

Notice 3 things you can hear

Notice 2 things you can smell

Notice 1 thing you can taste

Keep small sensory items around — like essential oils, gum, or a fidget — to make this practice easier anytime stress arises.

Take a few moments to journal:

What helped you stress a little less this month?

How can you bring more calm into your daily routine next week?

Follow Healing Is My Hobby wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who could use a little more calm today.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingismyhobby/

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Next month: The Burnout Series — how to notice the signs, restore your energy, and rekindle your spark.